Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement

Welcome to the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE)!

DPIE is the result of an initiative to streamline county government operations in the areas of permitting, business licensing, inspections and property code enforcement.​​

DPIE Director Melinda Bolling in front of Flag

DPIE Notice for Residents and the Business Community Regarding Services During the COVID-19 Emergency

As we all endeavor to abide by the national social distancing directive established to slow the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), DPIE has modified its delivery of services. Although DPIE’s offices are closed to the public, the agency continues to assist our customers through increased online services. Phones are staffed during business hours in every division and staff members are responding to emails. Every effort is being made to be as responsive as possible to the community and business neighbors who require our services.  Read more here. . .

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Age of Momentum Banner for auxiliary pages with letter M in circle on blue background

A New Process for BUSINESS AND RENTAL LICENSES

The Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) has transitioned to Momentum, a new online system. Beginning with Phase 1, all Prince George's County Business and Rental Licenses are now processed in Momentum. To learn more about Momentum and access the portal, click Momentum Information.

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The DPIE Building Is Closed to the Public!

DPIE is serving customers through teleworking, electronic and virtual processes. Please check back for updates.

STOP! Do Not Enter! sign shown with hand and stop sign
STOP! Do Not Enter! sign shown with hand and stop sign

The DPIE Building Is Closed to the Public

DPIE is serving customers through teleworking, electronic and virtual processes. Please check back for updates.

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Notice - Electrical Code Changes June 2021
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Comm Partners Meeting DPIE Presentation 4-7-21

Spring 2021 — Virtual Community Partners' Meeting

DoE hosted the virtual Spring 2021 Community Partners' Meeting on April 7. Updates and information about DPIE, DoE and DPW&T were provided to the 139 people who attended.

If you missed the meeting, click here or on the image to view DPIE's Community Partners' presentation.

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Drainage and Flooding

DPIE Partners with Sister Agencies to Address County Drainage Issues, Flooding

DPIE recently collaborated with the Department of the Environment (DoE), Department of Public Works & Transportation (DPW&T) and Prince George's Soil Conservation District (PGSCD) on “Drainage and Flooding in Prince George’s County,” a comprehensive report. Access the Drainage and Flooding presentation here or click the image to view the presentation.

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Sue Hall interview by News 7 Brad Bell after 45 years of service

DPIE’s Sue Hall Celebrates 45 Years of County Service

When Sue Hall began working for Prince George’s County, motorists listened to disco on 8 tracks and paid a quarter for a gallon of gas. Leisure suits were high fashion and the Vietnam War had just ended.

Read more here. . .

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DPIE Attacks Roadside Litter in Sign Blitz

DPIE has a message for those who litter local roadways with illegal signs: we’re coming for the ugly signs and you will be fined.

Enforcement Division staffers seized more than 1,800 illegal signs posted on County rights-of-way during a Sign Blitz on March 30. DPW&T staffers removed 1,700 signs during a blitz earlier this month.

Read more here. . .

Inspector Anthony Elliott heads to the dumpster with an illegal sign
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DPIE Staff Uses Masks, Distancing and Technology to Continue Services During the Pandemic

Monica Hemmatian measures footing for a deck during an inspection
Inspectors Rick Smith and David McLaurin participate in a door-to-door education campaign in Laurel.

INSPECTIONS

Shaghayegh "Monica" Hemmatian of the Inspections Division measures the footing for a deck during a residential inspection. 

Read more here. . .

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE STANDARDS ENFORCEMENT

Enforcement Division Property Standards Inspectors Rick Smith (left) and David McLaurin prepare to participate in a door-to-door education campaign in Laurel.

Read more here. . .

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NOTICES

DPIE’s Drainage Defects Complaint Program, photo of ponding
Building Code Changes 2-15-21
DPIE Fee Changes Feb 15 2021
Single-Family Rental Change in Capitol Heights Notice
Inspections Division Procedures Update

IMPORTANT: Inspections Procedure Changes Read more here. . .

Pre-Construction Meetings Required Prior to Permits

County Council Constrains Some Rent Increases, Evictions During COVID-19 Crisis

Effective June 29, 2020, the Prince George’s County Council has amended the Landlord–Tenant Code to place prohibitions on some rent increases, evictions and the imposition of late fees during the current COVID-19 health emergency. The Code was amended in Council Bill CB-016-2020, an Emergency Bill introduced May 18, 2020. The legislation was introduced to assist tenants who can provide documentation or otherwise verify that they lost their jobs and their ability to pay rent as a result of the COVID-19 emergency. The provisions of CB-016-2020 will remain in effect until 90 days after the termination of the current Maryland State of Emergency declared March 5, 2020, by Gov. Hogan.

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Information Translated to Other Languages

In an effort to share both departmental and County information with our communities, we are publishing pages in other languages.  Select the Resources tab at the bottom of the left column.  Be sure and check back on a regular basis as we continue to convert and add additional DPIE documents, as well as County notices and COVID-19 updates.

Illegal restaurant from home
Illegal restaurant from home Spanish
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ePlan Training Web

ePlan Customer Trainings Offered via Zoom

Thursday, May 20, 2021
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

DPIE is offering monthly VIRTUAL training sessions on how to upload applications and plans for review in our ePlan system. Training sessions are FREE and are held the third Thursday of every month. (Please do not come to DPIE offices as they are closed to the public at this time.) The Zoom link will be provided to registered customers 48 hours prior to the training.

All those who wish to attend the May virtual class need to reply no later than May 13th by clicking the activities link. You may also send an e-mail to one of the following contacts or call the phone number:

Robin — ramclean@co.pg.md.us
Dunia — dksantamaria@co.pg.md.us
Danielle — dmrobinson1@co.pg.md.us
Megan — msteward@co.pg.md.us

(301) 636–2050

To cancel or reschedule, please notify one of the above persons via e-mail or call the phone number.

Please Note: If there are less than 4 people signed up for a training, the class will be canceled; the persons signed up to attend will be notified and moved to the following month’s class.

All customers scheduled to attend an ePlan Customer Training session must print out a copy of the "ePlan Applicant User Guide" for the class.

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DPIE Restaurant Temporary Outdoor Seating Area Permit

Restaurant Outdoor Seating

Providing Restaurants with an Outdoor Seating Option to Increase Dining Opportunities for Citizens

In the wake of the COVID-19 emergency, Prince George’s County has established a process geared to helping restaurants reopen under special conditions as part of County Executive Angela Alsobrooks’ modified Phase 1 County reopening. DPIE has established a Restaurant Temporary Outdoor Seating Area Permit (RTOSA), effective June 1, 2020, to allow restaurants to serve customers in permitted outdoor seating areas. The outdoor seating areas will augment the carry-out and delivery services many restaurants have offered to provide citizens with varied dining options during the current health emergency.

How to Seek Approval for Outdoor Table Service

The modified Phase I Prince George’s County reopening plan allows qualified restaurants to reopen on June 1, 2020, with outdoor seating with a Restaurant Temporary Outdoor Seating Area (RTOSA) Permit. Tables are required to be spaced six feet apart and the seating area must be separated from the sidewalk or street by a three-foot barrier. Wheelchair access and restroom facilities must be provided.

If your restaurant’s current Use and Occupancy Permit (U&O) allows you to operate an outdoor seating area, you may establish an outdoor seating area as of June 1, 2020, utilizing appropriate mandated social distancing requirements.

For more information about the process, visit our Temporary Restaurant Outdoor Seating page. For restaurant reopening frequently asked questions, visit the Restaurant Concierge Portal. Apply for RTOSA Permit.

Contact

For information or assistance, contact DPIE Permit Supervisor Clarence Moseley at cemoseley@co.pg.md.us or 301-883-5913.

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Change in Processes Due to the Coronavirus

Plans rolled and stacked to Mail

Changes to DPIE Drop Box

Effective immediately, new Permitting and Plan Review drop box procedures are to be followed. Read more here.

Inspections Hard Hat with County Seal

DPIE Now Offers Virtual Inspections of Limited Projects

DPIE is offering limited virtual inspections as an alternative to on-site inspections. Virtual inspections allow County inspectors to perform on-demand inspections from remote locations, utilizing technology instead of direct interaction with the public. Read more here.

Grapes in farmer's hands

Farmers’ Market Procedures During COVID-19 Emergency

Modifications have been made to the Farmers’ Market Temporary Use Code Operations.  For more information, view the Health Licensing’s Food Service Facility (FSF) Permits page and read the "COVID-19 Farmers’ Market Operations" list of vendor requirements.

The word Bonds and pen

Mandatory Upload of Site/Road Permit Bonds

Effective Monday, May 4, 2020, Permitting and Licensing Division’s Site/Road Permits process requires all permittees to UPLOAD THEIR BONDS FOR OFFICE OF LAW review and approval via ePlan (ProjectDox/ProjectFlow) for ALL site development cases. Read more here.

Inspector JS working outside with laptop on the hood of his car

Changes to DPIE Inspections Division Inspection Processes

The DPIE Inspections Division has suspended inspections of occupied existing residential/commercial interior renovations, alterations, and any additions associated with the projects. Read more here.

Enforcement found house with broken pillar and gutter

Enforcement Division Curtails Inspections

Due to social distancing requirements established in response to COVID-19, DPIE’s Enforcement Division is now performing essential operations only. This mandate was put in place to keep County residents and employees safe. Read more here.

Retaining Wall

DPIE Mandates Electronic Permitting Submittals through ePlan System for Retaining Walls

Effective Wednesday, April 15, 2020, Building Permit applications for retaining walls must be submitted through ePlan system.  Read more here.

Electrical Panel

Boards & Commissions Electrical Board

The Electrical Board will not be accepting applications for electrical examinations or requests for retakes until further notice.  Please check back for updates.

MDE suspension of services letter

Other Agency Updates

Message from MDE

Please see the letter from the Maryland Department of the Environment regarding soil evaluation, perc tests and well inspections.

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Coronavirus Information

To stay up-to-date with the latest information, view Prince George’s County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks’s newsletters.

For more information and printable factsheets in English and Spanish, visit the Health Services page.

Face Coverings
Face coverings are required by state law when in stores or on public transportation. If you don’t have a face mask, you can make one from a bandana, scarf or t-shirt. Here are a couple of easy ways to create your own with materials you may already have at home. Make your own mask!  En español, hacer su propia mascara!

Face Covers Save Lives - English
Face Covers Save Lives - Spanish
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NOTICE:
Building Permit Fee Multiplier Adjustment

Effective July 1, 2019, the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement will change the building permit fee multiplier used for new building construction and additions.

free art Panda

The new formula will be calculated by using the Building Valuation Data (BVD) issued by the International Code Council dated February 2019. The International Code Council updates the BVD table bi-annually; however, Prince George’s County will update the fee multiplier annually.

The BVD table provides the “average” construction costs per square foot, when calculating permit fees for new construction and additions within a jurisdiction. The 2015 International Building Code gives instructions concerning permit fee schedules in Section 109.2 and building permit valuations in Section 109.3.  Permit applications submitted prior to the effective date will be calculated by the appropriate BVD.

For additional information or questions regarding this Notice, please contact Mr. Bellur Ravishankar, Associate Director, Building Plan Review Division at 301-636-2070.

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Maryland State Government logo

NOTICE:  MHIC Procedure Changes

All applicants using Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) contractors are required to follow the procedures indicated below:

• Submit a letter on company letterhead from the MHIC licensed contractor indicating:  MHIC license number; date of letter; MHIC licensed contractor’s name and signature; and list of person(s) authorized to obtain permits with their license.  

• The identification of each contractor and their designee will be verified to ensure validity of license and authorization by the MHIC licensed contractor.

Should you have any questions regarding this notice, please call 301-636-2050.

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Permitting and Licensing & Building Plan Review Division Application Intake Hours

Service
 Day Hours
Operational Intake
 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Operational Intake
 Wednesday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Residential Walk-thru
 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Commercial Walk-thru Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Residential/Commercial Walk-thru
 Wednesday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Divisional Office Hours

Division Day Hours
Site/Road Plan Review
 Monday - Friday
 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Inspections
 Monday - Friday
 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Enforcement
 Monday - Friday
 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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